General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Hun Sen take a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

Leaders’ activities

On February 18, in Hanoi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Hun Sen co-chaired a high-level meeting between the two Parties.

The event aims to enhance the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed the strategic significance of the Vietnam-Cambodia relations to security and development of each country, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world. For his part, Prime Minister Hun Sen suggested that apart from consolidating and promoting the bilateral political ties, the two countries should step up partnership in economy and trade in service of their development cause.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (February 14, 1993 - 2023), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong has sent a letter of congratulations to General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Gennady Zyuganov.

On February 17, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received Secretary and Chief of Office of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Thongsalith Mangnomek, who was on a working visit to Vietnam. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach great importance to the special relations with Laos, and strongly support the national renovation, protection and construction cause of Laos.

On February 18, receiving General Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that defence collaboration continues to be an important pillar in Vietnam-Cambodia relations and welcomed the effective coordination of more than 30 meaningful activities by the two Defense Ministries to mark the "Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022". The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance and give priority to reinforcing and promoting the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive, sustainable and long-term partnership with Cambodia.

On February 14, receiving US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who was on a working visit to Vietnam from February 12-15, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested Vietnamese and US agencies work harder to promote economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its comprehensive partnership with the US, expressing his delight at the strong, all-round development of the bilateral relations over the past time.

On February 14, receiving the delegation of the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) to discuss measures to promote economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and the EU, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Vietnam always advocates further deepening the comprehensive partnership and cooperation with EU and the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the EU.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue works with EU-ABC, EuroCham delegation in Hanoi, on February 14, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

On the same day, working with the delegation, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to and wishes to promote relations with the EU - a leading important partner in Vietnam's foreign policy.

On February 14, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco on the occasion of her official visit to Vietnam from February 14-16. The Prime Minister said Vietnam always attaches importance to the friendship and multifaceted cooperative relations with El Salvador, expressing hope that her visit and the opening of the Embassy of El Salvador in Vietnam will contribute to taking the two countries’ relations into a new period.

On Februray 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Eduord Philippe, former French Prime Minister and now Mayor of Le Havre city. The two sides assessed that Vietnam-France strategic partnership has been developing effectively and practically in all fields with high political trust.

On February 17, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received First Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federal Assembly’s Federation Council Andrey Yatskin, who was leading a delegation of the Council to visit Vietnam. National Assembly Chairman Hue said that Russia is one of the most important and priority partners in Vietnam's foreign policy and the Russian delegation’s visit is of great significance as the two countries have marked 10 years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2012 - 2022), and are preparing the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's arrival in Russia (1923 - 2023).

On February 17, receiving Mr. Rémy Rioux, CEO of the French Development Agency (AFD) during his visit to Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that Vietnam is ready to further deepen the traditional relationship and strategic partnership with France, especially with the French Development Agency (AFD). Deputy Prime Minister Ha expressed his wish for AFD’s technical assistance to improve the legal environment for the transition to green economy, green investment and green finance. This includes developing a budget for climate change adaptation, building a carbon credit market, diversifying energy sources, achieving a sustainable energy balance, and fulfilling commitments to addressing climate change, such as afforestation and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

On February 15, receiving Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang suggested that Vietnam and Japan to soon sign an agreement on new-generation official development assistance (ODA) with more preferential terms for Vietnam in 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023).

On the same day, speaking at the Vietnam-Japan Economic Forum 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang suggested Vietnam and Japan strengthen investment cooperation, especially in spearhead industries, pay attention to technology transfer to Vietnam, and promote green transition.

Activities of the Foreign Minister

On February 17, at the meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Vietnam Haldun Tekneci, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son conveyed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s letter of sympathy to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Ambassador and informed him about what Vietnam has been doing to help Turkey overcome the consequences of the disaster.

On February 16, Minister Bui Thanh Son received Mr. Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Vietnam.

On February 15, at the headquarters of the Ministry, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received the delegation of the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) led by Mr. Jens Ruebbert, Vice Chairman of the EU-ABC Board of Directors. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son highly valued the role of the EU-ABC and EuroCham as bridges for European businesses’ cooperation with ASEAN and Vietnam, asked the EU-ABC and EuroCham to continue supporting Vietnam and the EU to effectively carry out the EVFTA to capitalise on advantages created by the deal; promote EU members’ ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and encourage European firms to make green growth investments in Vietnam.

On February 14, at the headquarters of the Ministry, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, now Mayor of Le Havre city on the occasion of his working visit to Vietnam from February 13-16.

From February 14-16, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador Alexandra Hill Tinoco paid an official visit to Vietnam. On February 14, during their talks in Hanoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and El Salvador counterpart Alexandra Hill Tinoco reached consensus on orientations and measures to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and El Salvador counterpart Alexandra Hill Tinoco hold talks in Hanoi, on February 14, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

On February 13, receiving Ms. Maria Tripodi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that Italy soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the remove the IUU “yellow card” for seafood exports from Vietnam.

On February 13, Minister Bui Thanh Son received US Trade Representative Katherine Tai on her first visit to Vietnam which was also the first visit at the economic ministerial level of the Biden administration, starting a series of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership. During the reception, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son underlined the potential of Vietnam-US cooperation in climate change response, energy transition, digital transformation and green growth.

Bilateral activities

On February 16, at the headquarters of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Washington D.C., a webinar was held by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) and the Vietnamese Embassy in the US to look into impacts of the Paris Peace Accords, signed 50 years ago, on the two countries’ relations today.

At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasised that the Paris Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam was a result of the sacrifice by millions of Vietnamese people, their strong desire for peace, independence, and national reunification, as well as the art of negotiation and the opportunity-seizing ability of many excellent diplomats from the parties concerned. It was an important milestone and a turning point for Vietnam and Southeast Asia at large. To the Vietnam - US relations, it put an end to a sorrowful chapter and heralded a long process towards reconciliation, mutual understanding, normalisation of bilateral ties in 1995, and establishment of a comprehensive partnership in 2013, the Ambassador said.

On February 16, receiving Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao, Ambassador of Vietnam to Belgium, President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Eliane Tillieux affirmed her backing for strengthening relations with Vietnam. She also pledged to coordinate closely with the Vietnamese National Assembly in promoting common concerns in socio-economic affairs, sharing legislative experience, and carrying out activities in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.

Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao, Ambassador of Vietnam to Belgium, President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Eliane Tilliex. (Photo: VNA)

On February 15, El Salvador's Embassy officially opened in Hanoi, the first for the Central American country in Southeast Asia. Speaking at the opening, Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco emphasized that El Salvador recognises Vietnam's role and its potential to develop solid cooperation ties in fields of mutual interest. “Hence, by way of this Embassy, we will seek to expand our relations with Vietnam, identifying mechanisms for the mutual exchange of technical assistance and cooperation."

From February 11-12, implementing the political consultation mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu visited Bahrain and co-chaired the first Deputy Ministerial Political Consultation with Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Bahrain Foreign Ministry Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

Multilateral activities

On the occasion of Vietnam's election as Vice Chairman of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO shared the significance of the event and Vietnam's efforts to promote Vietnamese culture at UNESCO.

On February 16, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) held a high-level dialogue session with the theme "Development priorities in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023". As a keynote speaker, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN) stressed that the implementation of climate change response and green energy transition is an inevitable path of sustainable development. From Vietnam's experience over the past time, the Ambassador said that a strong commitment to climate change response should come from a long-term vision, through an approach that puts people at the centre and is also mastered by them, good governance, and strengthening international cooperation for financial mobilisation and technology transfer, capacity building and mitigation of climate change impacts.

On February 15, in New York, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, attended the Memorial service held by the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the UN for victims by the recent earthquake disaster in Turkey with the participation of Ambassadors, Head of the Missions of many UN member states. Ambassador Giang affirmed that within its capacity, Vietnam will continue joining the international community in assisting Turkey to address the earthquake aftermath.

From February 13-15, under the authorisation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu attended the World Government Summit (WGS) 2023 and visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he co-chaired the second Deputy Ministerial Political Consultation with UAE Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Mubarak Al-Hajeri.

On February 15, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet chaired a meeting of an inter-sectoral working group on Vietnam’s assumption of the role as a member of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023-2025 term and discussed 2023 activities.

On February 14, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), emphasised the necessity to take comprehensive and human-centered measures to respond to climate change and sea level rise. Addressing an open debate on “Sea-level rise: Implications for international peace and security” held by the UN Security Council, the Vietnamese Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam clearly understands negative impacts of sea level rise on the socio-economic development, peace, security and existence of many countries.

On February 13, addressing the 61st session of the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD61), held in New York from February 6-15, Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), affirmed that Vietnam supports the policy of promoting decent work as well as socio-economic development and solidarity, considering it an important factor contributing to accelerating the completion of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

Citizen protection

Over the past few days, for the first time, the Vietnamese Government sent rescue teams abroad. Immediately after arriving in Adiyaman city, the rescue team of the Ministry of Public Security successfully saved a 14-year-old boy and helped search and remove many bodies from the rubble. On the evening of February 13, after arriving in Antakya, Hatay province, one of the most heavily damaged provinces, the rescue team of the Vietnam People's Army immediately deployed the work and achieved initial results. As of February 19 evening (Vietnam time), the Vietnam People’s Army team had searched 31 locations in Antakya, helping discover 15 sites with victims trapped under the rubble, including two places with signs of survivors.

In particular, the Vietnamese Embassies in Turkey, in Iran and concurrently Syria render their support for rescue efforts in Turkey, Syria, delivered letters of sympathies from Vietnam to local administrations over the losses in the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.